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The preparation of electrochromic nickel oxide ( NiO x ) films, which are colorless in an as-deposited state, has been carried out in Ar/O2/H2 mixed gas by the rf-sputtering method. Highly transparent films of as-deposited nickel oxide could be prepared in the sputtering atmosphere consisting of Ar:O2:H2=50:10:40. From IR and XPS measurements, the as-deposited films were found to be hydrated and to have the component of Ni(OH)2. When these films were electrochemically colored, NiOOH was known to remain in the films. The coloration efficiency of the films at the wavelength of 633 nm was nearly independent of hydrogen content in sputtering atmosphere up to 40%, but it depended on sputtering pressure. The maximum value of coloration efficiency was 36 cm2/C for films prepared at hydrogen content of 40% and total pressure of 8 Pa.

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ABSTRACT. Seasonal changes in sites of immunostaining of steroidogenic enzymes were examined in testes of the Japanese black bear, Ursus thibetanus japonicus. In addition, serum concentrations of testosterone and estradiol-17β were investigated by radioimmunoassay, and the seasonal changes were compared with the results of immunostaining.

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was imaged by MRI throughout flexion in neutral tibial rotation in six cadaver knees, which were also dissected, and in 20 unloaded and 13 loaded living (squatting) knees. The appearance of the ligament was the same in all three groups. In extension the ligament is curved concave-forwards. It is straight, fully out-to-length and approaching vertical from 60 degrees to 120 degrees, and curves convex-forwards over the roof of the intercondylar notch in full flexion. Throughout flexion the length of the ligament does not change, but the separations of its attachments do. We conclude that the PCL is not loaded in the unloaded cadaver knee and therefore, since its appearance in all three groups is the same, that it is also unloaded in the living knee during flexion. The posterior fibres may be an exception in hyperextension, probably being loaded either because of posterior femoral lift-off or because of the forward curvature of the PCL. These conclusions relate only to everyday life: none may be drawn with regard to more strenuous activities such as sport or in trauma.

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ABSTRACT. A method for sex identification of the Japanese black bear was examined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of a part of the amelogenin gene. This gene is located on the X and Y chromosomes, and there are 54 nucleotide deletions on the Y chromosome-specific gene. Forty-seven (26 male and 21 female) DNA samples and 23 (13 male and 10 female) DNA samples, respectively extracted from white blood cells and hairs of Japanese black bears were analyzed. The primers SE47 and SE48 from this X-Y homologous region were used in sex identification by PCR amplification. These primers amplified X-and Y-specific bands, which could be used to discriminate between sexes by a length polymorphism in all samples. We suggest that PCR amplification using the primers SE47 and SE48 is useful for sex determination of the Japanese black bear and could be applied to DNA analysis of small samples such as hairs. KEY WORDS: amelogenin gene, Japanese black bear, polymerase chain reaction, sex identification.